Explore Naples

Naples is the metropolitan center of the region known as Southwest Florida, the least developed and most natural of all of Florida’s quadrants. Its popularity has attracted the full array of dining, nightlife and shopping options, while leaving the surrounding beaches and Everglades areas virtually untouched. Naples provides a well-planned, clean and contemporary home base from which to explore what is left of the natural, sub-tropical environment that has over the centuries drawn pirates, explorers and finally settlers to tame the great state of Florida.

Greater Naples

Buildings in the town of Naples are far apart from each other, and there are no towering structures to interfere with the natural sunlight or fresh Gulf air. The amount of space allotted for shopping center parking lots and government buildings, relative to the small permanent population, contributes to the immediate reduction of any stresses brought here from other towns. Clean, newly constructed streets criss-cross open expanses shared only by pelicans sitting on stumps near the shore, waiting for a fishing opportunity. The traffic jams of the Suncoast, further north along the Gulf, have not yet found their way here, the construction density of the South Florida megalopolis east across the Everglades seems much more than just a few hours drive away, and you still can experience in Naples the magic that drew initial residents to the more populated Florida centers just a few decades ago.

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Historic District

A few blocks west of the present civic center is where Naples began at the turn of the 20th century, as a hotel with a long dock on a bay which reminded the initial visitors of Naples, Italy. The Seaboard Coastline railroad constructed a depot near the hotel shortly thereafter, and the town was born. You will find a good selection of small museums, historic markers, restored houses of the original residents and boat tours where you can learn all about the fascinating history of the area, with plenty of places to stop for refreshments along the way.

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Marco Island

South of Naples, along Southwest Florida’s Gulf coast is the Land of Ten Thousand Islands, and Marco Island is the largest of them. From here you can take one of the many available cruises around the islands. Depending upon your interest, you either can explore the variety of wildlife and flora of the islands in the company of an experienced resident, or if you prefer, take a guided tour of the best places to fish in the area. Marco Island also offers beautiful golf courses and beaches of pure white sand, as well as superior lodging and dining options for those who would just as soon spend their entire stay here.

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Naples North

There are many beach communities to explore, just a short drive north of Naples, such as Naples Park, Vanderbilt Beach, Bonita Beach and Bonita Shores. Each of these communities has unique natural features, special museums and restored houses, one-of-a-kind restaurants each famous for its particular treatment of locally caught seafood, and miles of lesser-known beaches. If you have an extra day, just drive and explore some of these communities with no particular plan in mind, but take a notepad, because you may be surprised that what you discover in some of these smaller beach towns will form the strongest memories of your entire adventure in the Naples area.

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